News

Apple still working to license iPhone trademark

By LC Angell ● Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Even though Apple has already announced that its new mobile phone will be called the iPhone, the company has yet to sign an agreement with Cisco, the holder of the iPhone trademark. According to Cisco—which launched a line of VoIP phones last month under the iPhone brand—the company has recently been in extensive discussions with Apple about licensing the trademark. Cisco said that “it is our belief that Apple intends to agree to the final document. We expect to receive a signed agreement today.” Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president for worldwide marketing, would not confirm to the Associated Press whether the company had agreed with Cisco on terms of use of the name. “There are a number of companies that have used ‘iPhone,’ but this is the first use in a cellular phone,” he said. “We feel fine using it as a cell phone name.”

Comments

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Apple phone or MacPhone both point to computers and what did they delete from their name today ?

Posted by LC Angell on January 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM (CST)

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ApplePhone! to go with AppleTV and ApplePod!

Or maybe not…

Damn clever move on Cisco’s part though - they needn’t even produce their iPhones now, and get free money from Apple!

Posted by LC Angell on January 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM (CST)

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The `i´ is becoming a bigger brand than apple itself. So I can understand the decision for the name iphone.

Posted by LC Angell on January 10, 2007 at 2:31 AM (CST)

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Is this what’s making for the delay from launch to sale? If so, they should just sign the thing and get it over with. It’ll be worth it in the long run. As a supplement, will they release a version that supports SIM cards? I live in India, so without SIM cards support, I’ll have to wait an eternity until I can actually use the iPhone… :’(
*sobwhimper*

Posted by LC Angell on January 10, 2007 at 7:02 AM (CST)

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No, the delay is because they have to get it approved by the FCC before they can sell it.

There have been a lot of devices recently which have appeared on sites such as iLounge and engadget because the FCC approval comes through, complete with pictures, and Steve wanted to do the announcement himself rather than it leak like that. He does mention that somewhere in the presentation.